Monthly Archives: March 2016

Post navigation

38 Based on these and similar data,39,40 it is generally recommended that vacuum-assisted deliveries be achieved with no more than 3 sets of pulls and a maximum of 2 to 3 cup detachments (pop-offs). The total vacuum application time should be limited to 20 to 30 minutes.4 These recommendations are based more upon common sense and Volasertib leukemia experience than scientific data as observational series have shown no long-term differences in neonatal outcome related to these variables.25 Reasons for Failed Vacuum Extraction Vacuum-assisted vaginal deliveries may fail because of poor patient selection (such as attempting vacuum extraction in pregnancies complicated by cephalopelvic disproportion) or errors in application or technique.

For example, selection of the incorrect cup size, accidental inclusion of maternal soft tissues within the cup, and/or incorrect placement of the vacuum cup, resulting in worsening asynclitism (lateral traction) or de-flexion (extension) of the fetal head, may all contribute to failed vacuum attempts. Failure to apply traction in concert with maternal pushing efforts or traction along the incorrect plane may also result in failed vacuum extraction. To avoid fetal injury, the obstetric care provider should not be overly committed to achieving a vaginal delivery and should be willing to abandon the procedure if it is not progressing well. Delay may increase the risk of neonatal or maternal morbidity. The ability to perform an emergency cesarean delivery should always be at hand.

Maternal Complications There is substantial evidence that instrumental deliveries increase maternal morbidity, including perineal pain at delivery, pain in the immediate postpartum period, perineal lacerations, hematomas, blood loss and anemia, urinary retention, and long-term problems with urinary and fecal incontinence. A randomized trial of 118 nulliparous term deliveries showed significant maternal soft tissue trauma in 48.9% of forceps deliveries, 36.1% of deliveries using the silastic vacuum extractor, and 21.6% of deliveries using the Mityvac? vacuum extractor (CooperSurgical, Trumball, CT) deliveries.41 Another review of over 50,000 vaginal deliveries at the University of Miami reported that the rates of third and fourth degree perineal lacerations were higher in vacuum-assisted (10%) and forceps deliveries (20%) compared with spontaneous vaginal deliveries (2%).

42 The highest rates of maternal perineal trauma are associated with deliveries involving rotations larger than 45�� and with midforceps procedures.43 The risk of maternal trauma is higher for fetuses in the occiput-posterior position.44,45 For example, a retrospective cohort study Carfilzomib of over 390 vacuum-assisted vaginal deliveries found that an occiput-posterior position was associated with a 4-fold increased risk of anal sphincter injury compared with an occiput-anterior position, which persisted after controlling for multiple covariables.

They are the pharmaceutical physicians, often based in different Indian states. They interact with physicians on investigator-initiated studies, Baricitinib scientific communication, research activities, capacity building, and pipelines in the drug development. Even as sales representatives are required to restrict discussion to the approved prescribing information of a marketed product, medical liaisons can discuss and exchange scientific information related to other topics, including recent advances, research methodology, and so on. In India, it is observed that physicians, because of their limited time, are sometimes unable to update themselves on the current developments in the medical field. Therefore, they look for medical liaisons to provide scientific information, which could really be of use to them in treating their patients better.

New product launch Launching a new pharmaceutical product is a collaborative effort of regulatory, marketing, medical, and other functions in the pharmaceutical company. The process requires detailed planning, and also effective execution. Many critical activities take place well in advance of the actual launch of a new product. Each of these activities is time bound and has a set of objectives. The activities are divided into prelaunch, launch, and post launch activities. Prelaunch The role of a medical advisor includes highlighting the advantages of the new medicine, providing inputs on the exact medical positioning of the product, and discussing the possible high science / medical services that can be associated with the medicine.

These discussions can be either one-on-one with practicing physicians or in form of advisory boards. The boards must include physicians of highest repute such as academicians, those having interest in original research and publications in their respective Brefeldin_A therapy area. Medical advisors often coordinate these programs and share new data available in different indications. Launch During launch, the medical advisor has a dual role. Internally, he is responsible for training of medical representatives, approving promotional material and medical inputs. Externally, he acts as the face of the organization by exposing much higher number of physicians to the product, addressing queries of physicians on usage of the medicine in patients and participating in physician meetings.

Post launch In the post launch phase, it is important to update physicians on emerging information, answer queries on the drug’s safety and efficacy profile. In addition, Bortezomib msds currently, medical advisors play an important role in partnering with physicians on investigator ?C initiated research and epidemiological studies which is the real need in India. Interactions with stakeholders Medical advisor is a critical link between a pharmaceutical company and external stakeholders [Figure 1]. External stakeholders include regulatory agencies, physicians, hospital administrators and patient groups.

However, this kind of hypothesis can only be addressed by longitudinal studies. The relationship between amyloid burden as assessed by PET imaging and longitudinal change in cognitive function in cognitively normal and MCI populations is currently under examination in multiple trials, including the US ADNI Cabozantinib molecular weight study [40] (11C-PIB, phase 1, and florbetapir F 18, phase 2), the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle Initiative (AIBL) initiative [43] (11C-PIB) and several ongoing longitudinal trials of aging [62,67], as well as in several trials with 18F-labeled agents that are either still ongoing (flutemetamol, NCT01028053; florbetaben, NCT01138111; ClinicalTrials.gov) or recently completed (florbetapir) [59]. First results, now coming into the literature, strongly suggest a relationship between amyloid burden and AD progression.

Four published studies have examined the potential of 11C-PIB PET amyloid imaging to predict progression from MCI to AD. Forsberg and colleagues [57] imaged 27 MCI subjects and reported that 7 who subsequently converted to AD had higher PIB retention than non-converting subjects. Okello and colleagues [56] studied 31 MCI subjects, 17 (55%) of whom were considered amyloid- positive on an 11C-PIB PET scan. Of these 17 subjects, 14 (82%) converted from MCI to AD in the follow-up period (up to 3 years). Only 1 of 14 (7%) amyloid-negative subjects converted in the same time period. A comparison of fast (<1 year) versus slower converters suggested that fast converters (within one year of scan; 8 of 17 amyloid-positive subjects) had higher 11C-PIB PET cortical to cerebellar uptake ratios than the slower converters, despite a similar mean age.

Notably, all fast converters for whom genotype was available carried an apolipoprotein E ??4 alleole, whereas only two of six slow converters with genotype information carried an apolipoprotein E ??4 alleole. Thus, the ??4 alleole may have contributed Anacetrapib to both the elevated amyloid burden (increased SUVR) and the more rapid conversion. Wolk and colleagues [68] similarly reported a higher rate of conversion in subjects classified as amyloid-positive (5 of 13, 38%) versus amyloid-negative (zero of 10) by 11C-PIB PET. Finally, Jack and colleagues [69] recently published the first report of follow-up results from the ADNI study.

Of 218 MCI subjects included in the analysis, 11C-PIB data were available for 53 subjects, and CSF A?? levels, but not sellekchem 11C-PIB, were available for 165. In order to increase power and to better draw conclusions regarding relationships between amyloid burden and disease progression, CSF data from subjects who did not undergo 11C-PIB imaging were transformed to facilitate a combined quantitative analysis. Over the observation period, 81 of 165 amyloid-positive versus 8 of 53 amyloid-negative MCI subjects progressed to AD. A Kaplin Meyer analysis estimated a significantly increased hazard ratio (3.

These efforts have led to the broad consensus that dementia is a multi-factorial disorder caused by several interrelated mechanisms in which the interaction of genetic and environmental factors plays the major role (Table ?(Table11). Table 1 Risk and protective factors for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease kinase inhibitor Ponatinib The pathways that lead from different risk factors to dementia are not fully understood, but several etiological hypotheses have been proposed: the vascular hypothesis, inflammatory hypothesis, oxidative stress hypothesis, toxic hypothesis, and psychosocial hypothesis [5,6]. These theories highlight potential links of various risk factors to both the vascular and the neurodegenerative brain pathologies that can cause dementia, justifying the validity of dementia syndrome as target for prevention [7,8].

A recent report commissioned by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and issued by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) concluded that current research evidence on many risk and protective factors for cognitive decline and AD is not of sufficient strength, thus recommendations for preventing these conditions cannot be made [9,10]. Another previous review yielded similar conclusions [11]. These negative perspectives have been criticized since epidemiological evidence that the use of antihypertensive medications, cessation of smoking, and increasing physical activity produce cognitive benefits in older adults is not inadequate [12], and the analytical strategy used in the evidence-based review did not take into account the life-course perspective [13].

In fact, observational longitudinal studies clearly show that the risk of late-life dementia is determined by exposures to multiple factors experienced over the life span and that the effect of specific risk/protective factors depends largely on age. Thus, a life-course perspective is relevant for chronic disorders (such as dementia) that have a long latent period. It allows the identification of time windows when exposures have their greatest effect on outcome and assessment of whether cumulative exposures could have multiplicative or additive effects over the life course [6]. Age-dependent associations with dementia/AD have been suggested for several aging-related medical conditions.

For example, elevated blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and total cholesterol levels at a young age and in middle age (< 65 years) are associated with an increased risk of dementia and Cilengitide AD, and having lower values make it clear in late life (> 75 years) is also associated with subsequent development of dementia/AD [14-19]. Diabetes mellitus has been associated with increased risk of dementia and AD over adult life, but the risk is stronger when diabetes occurs in mid-life than in late-life [20]. Current smoking is another major risk factor for dementia and AD, and, given the worldwide prevalence of smoking, about 14% of all AD cases are potentially attributable to this risk factor [21].

The initial goal of ADNI was to recruit 800 adults, ages 55 to 90, to participate in the research – approximately 200 cognitively normal older individuals to be followed for 3 years, 400 people with MCI to be followed for 3 years and 200 people with early AD to be followed Axitinib VEGFR for 2 years.’ For up-to-date information, see [31].

Autopsy evaluations suggest that up to 78% of individuals with diagnosed alcoholism demonstrate some degree of brain pathology [8]. Neuroimaging and neuropathological evidence show prominent white matter loss (most notable in the prefrontal cortex, corpus callosum, and cerebellum) and neuronal loss in the superior frontal association cortex, hypothalamus, and cerebellum [1,9].

The frontal lobes of individuals with diagnosed alcoholism appear particularly susceptible to damage, with evidence of markedly decreased neuron density, volume shrinkage, and altered glucose metabolism and perfusion [10]. Partial recovery of white matter disturbances can occur with abstinence, and magnetic resonance imaging studies indicate early reversibility of white matter shrinkage that is accompanied by clinical improvement in cognitive and motor abilities [11,12]. The mechanism behind recovery from white matter damage is thought to involve the restoration of myelination and axonal integrity, but is vulnerable to repeated disruption if drinking is resumed [11]. Harper [1] concludes that the brain pathology of abusers of alcohol likely has two components: one of permanent change, the other transient.

While these findings reflect general structural changes in chronic abusers of alcohol, what lesions characterize a clinically identifiable dementia and the neuropathological process that underlies this process remain in dispute. The ‘neurotoxicity’ hypothesis suggests that the direct physiological effects of chronic alcohol exposure can cause neuronal loss through glutamate excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, and the disruption Drug_discovery of neurogenesis [13]. In particular, drinking patterns of repeated binges and withdrawal periods may enhance neuronal injury through increased vulnerability of upregulated N-methyl-D-asparate (NDMA) receptors to glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. Support for the neurotoxicity hypothesis emerges from animal studies, which have demonstrated dose-related ethanol-induced damage to brain structures – including the hippocampus, hypothalamus, and cerebellum – that correspond with impairments in memory and learning [14,15].

Cholinergic neurotransmission in the basal forebrain, which plays a key role in attention, these learning, and memory, also appears to be impacted by prolonged intake of alcohol. Imaging studies of ‘uncomplicated alcoholics’ – individuals with no history of nutritional deficiency, hepatic failure, or other indirect forms of brain injury – confirm structural abnormalities, including changes to the corpus callosum, pons, and cerebellum [12].

Finally, and most troublingly, the cramming in of so much technology at the tip creates some problems. In particular, after several uses Belinostat to seal vessels, the coagulum buildup on the tip can prevent the jaws from opening and closing completely; this in turn disables a safety mechanism on the cutting blades. Without a functioning cutting blade, the entire raison d����tre of the device is negated. Design/Functionality Score: 2.5 Innovation Although the core vessel sealing technology in the LigaSure Advance is as solid as ever, the refashioning of older devices with as many bells and whistles as could be found felt more regressive than progressive. Innovation Score: 1.5 Value As stated in a prior review on the Harmonic Ace?,2 determining value for the whole family of laparoscopic coagulation and cutting devices is a difficult task.

If a surgeon can safely and efficiently perform surgeries without the disposable devices��and some can��then they are all poor value. If a surgeon��s skill set limits him/her from performing the same minimally invasive procedure without the disposable devices��probably the majority��then they all represent good value. At a retail price of $925, the LigaSure Advance is expensive relative to its competitors. If a given surgeon is able to get everything out of the device that it is supposed to deliver (coagulation, cutting, dissecting, and grasping) there may be some added value, but at that retail price, even that is a stretch. On the whole for the space it��s in, this device is not a great value. Value Score: 1.

5 Summary In the highly competitive space that is the laparoscopic coagulating and cutting device market, the LigaSure Advance does not seem to add much except cost. For those surgeons who are accustomed to and comfortable with the older LigaSure laparoscopic devices, this newer option is unlikely to offer enough to make them switch. Overall Score: 1.5 Footnotes Dr. Greenberg reports no personal financial relationships with any of the companies whose products he reviews in this column.Despite the declining death rate of cervical carcinoma, the American Cancer Society estimated almost 4000 deaths and more than 11,000 new diagnoses in 2008.1 Cervical carcinoma is clinically staged according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) system; however, this staging system is frequently inaccurate, particularly with advancing stage.

Clinical staging correlates poorly with the true extent of disease. Inaccuracies in staging occur in as many as 25% of patients categorized as FIGO stages I and II and in up to 65% to 90% in FIGO stage III.2 Cervical carcinoma metastasizes predominantly by the lymphatic system in an orderly Carfilzomib fashion: initially to the pelvic lymph nodes then to the para-aortic lymph nodes. Previous studies have demonstrated a strong correlation between the incidence of nodal metastasis with tumor volume and clinical stage.

39-41 Introducing renal MSC into HA-hydrogels to support EPC may improve the quality of the bioartificial niche and enhance the regenerative response of the embedded cells. MSC are especially attractive candidates for the supporting cell role because they have been reported to improve stem cell niche selleck chemicals Sorafenib quality and stem cell mobilization and homing through release of SDF-1, SCF and LIF.42 MSC also possess immuno-modulatory properties due to their release of anti-inflammatory molecules, such as IL-10, and are capable of inducing neighbor cells to secrete cytokines which may inhibit inflammation and pathological remodeling.42 The therapeutic effects of MSC were recently further demonstrated in a study by Gao et al.

, in which renal delivery of adipose-derived MSC embedded in a chitosan based hydrogel improved renal function in an IRI model of AKI, an effect that included reduced renal cell apoptosis, improved microvessel density and enhanced tubular cell proliferation.43 The study by Gao et al. supports the use of hydrogels for therapeutic delivery of stem cells and shows the hydrogel scaffold capable supporting delivery of various stem cell lines. To this end, we rationalized that by embedding MSC along with EPC into HA-hydrogels destined for implantation, the therapeutic efficacy of EPC may be enhanced even farther than if EPC were embedded and delivered alone. In in vitro studies, we observed significant improvement in the resistance of EPC to endotoxins (LPS) when MSC were embedded in combination with EPC, as opposed to EPC embedding alone (Fig. 2) (our unpublished observations).

In in vivo studies on sepsis-induced AKI, delivery of EPC in HA-hydrogels in combination with MSC led to greater improvement in renal microcirculation and renal function, compared with EPC delivered alone. While we are currently investigating the mechanism(s) of beneficial effects that MSC have on EPC, it appears these effects are paracrine in nature and are mediated by the release of protective molecules. Figure 2.Schematic representation (left) and corresponding images (right) (40x magnification) of EPC treated with 10 ug/ml LPS for 24 h. During LPS treatment, EPC were plated on culture plates (A) (without HA-hydrogel embedding), embedded in HA-hydrogels … In our experiments using various AKI models, HA-hydrogel delivery of EPC resulted in enhanced renal engraftment of these cells, as compared with IV delivery.

Although improvement in systemic and renal function parallels the difference in engrafting EPC, the relatively low frequency of kidney-lodged cells suggests that this is not the major route responsible for improved renal function Drug_discovery and microcirculation. Upon further evaluation, we observed significant reduction of circulating pro-inflammatory chemokines and cytokines when EPC are delivered by HA-hydrogel, an effect that concomitantly accompanied improvement of systemic and renal function.

An abundance of research has examined the EMG activity of selected selleck chem inhibitor musculature while performing different exercises on various instability devices (Beach et al., 2008; Freeman et al., 2006; Marshall and Murphy, 2005; Marshall and Murphy, 2006; Marshall and Murphy, 2006). For example, the Swiss Ball has been shown to be an effective device for eliciting an increased level of muscular activity when used with exercises designed to target the PM, AD, and TB (Lehman et al., 2006; Marshall and Murphy, 2006; Marshall and Murphy, 2006). Our findings are consistent with previous research about the global topic of instability exercise; i.e., increased muscular activation during body weight exercise when stability is challenged (Anderson et al., 2011; Freeman et al., 2006; Lehman et al.

, 2006; Marshall and Murphy, 2005; Marshall and Murphy, 2006; Snarr et al., 2013). However, the current study is one of the first to suggest ST may be a superior method for increasing EMG activity of PM, AD, and TB. Several theories are available to help explain our findings, which are detailed within the following two paragraphs. During a typical PU, each dynamically active joint has only one degree of freedom in which to function (i.e., a vertical, up-and-down movement). However, the ST decreases the base of support for the upper body, as it is suspended above the floor. This unstable kinetic chain results in additional degrees of freedom as the limbs work to prevent unnecessary horizontal and diagonal movements. This creates a ��multiple-role�� within the active musculature as they not only serve as PU agonists, but also as joint stabilizers (Lander et al.

, 1985; Marshall and Murphy, 2006; McCaw and Friday, 1994). The hands being placed in the handles of the suspension trainer provides additional degrees of freedom compared to the standard [fixed] floor placement. With additional ranges of freedom, a greater number of motor units is recruited to execute a particular exercise resulting in an increased EMG output (Beach et al., 2008; Behm, 1995; Marshall and Murphy, 2005; Marshall and Murphy, 2006; Vera-Garcia et al., 2000; Wahl and Behm, 2008). This characteristic is similar when performing dumbbell versus barbell chest presses, as the former has been shown to provide an increased level of instability (Behm, 1995; Saeterbakken et al., 2011). Furthermore, Saeterbakken et al.

(2011) showed that with a shift from a one degree to a multiple degree of freedom bench press exercise (i.e., comparing barbells to dumbbells), EMG activation levels remained consistent in the primary musculature. However, the average load of the barbell bench press was 17% greater compared to the dumbbell AV-951 bench press (Saeterbakken et al., 2011). In the current study, the participants performed both exercises while using the same load (i.e., their personal body weight) even though the degrees of freedom were greater with SPUs. Therefore, EMG output was higher.

Overdiagnosis and overtreatment have practical though and psychologic implications. When one considers that the odds are changed very little by screening, there is plenty to ponder. The extent of overdiagnosis and overtreatment is significant. For the same group of 2000 women considered above, 6 extra women will have a lumpectomy, 4 extra women will have mastectomies, and 200 women will endure the anxiety of further invasive investigations that turn out to be negative. False negatives generate fear while results are awaited, with self-perceptions of being ��at high risk�� emerging unnecessarily. Angst about susceptibility is created in partners, mothers, sisters, and daughters who start to worry about a family history of breast cancer. A least 1 in 6 breast cancers detected by screening will be overdiagnosed and overtreated.

1�C3 The chance of recall in a woman aged 50 years who goes for mammography every 2 years until the age of 60 years is about 50:50. Screening mammography is not a no-brainer. It is a complex subject that is rightfully being scrutinized objectively. Before we pontificate on the topic, we would do well to guard against potential arrogance in the pursuit of preventative practice, which Sackett4 describes as having 3 elements: Aggressive assertiveness in prescribing what healthy people should do Confident presumptions that interventions will do more good than harm Overbearing assuredness and a lack of tolerance of those who challenge the principles Screening is not the same as preventative medicine, but the same rules apply.

Our patients have the right to be told the harms as well as the benefits of mammography and deserve our support when they have made up their minds. In the meanwhile, deaths from breast cancer in the United Kingdom continue to decrease. Rates in the last 20 years have fallen from above 40 per 100,000 to below 30 per 100,000 women and seem set to fall further. The reductions are across all age groups and are attributable to research leading to improved management and screening. Footnotes These summaries are reproduced from the Journal Article Summary Service, a monthly publication summarizing clinically relevant articles from the recent world literature. Please see http://www.jassonline.com or e-mail [email protected] for more information.Malaria is the second most common cause of infectious disease-related death in the world, after tuberculosis.

It is estimated to affect between 350 to 500 million people annually and accounts for 1 to 3 million Entinostat deaths per year.1,2 Sub-Saharan Africa has the largest burden of malarial disease, with over 90% of the world��s malaria-related deaths occurring in this region. Twenty-five million pregnant women are currently at risk for malaria, and, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), malaria accounts for over 10,000 maternal and 200,000 neonatal deaths per year.3 These figures may underestimate the impact malaria has in maternal morbidity and mortality.

This observation suggests a fast shift to frequent heavier drinking for many young people. In addition, the surveys indicate that extreme binge drinking (i.e., consumption of 10 or selleck kinase inhibitor more or 15 or more drinks in a row) is a problem among 12th graders (this variable was not assessed among 8th and 10th graders). Thus, 10.5 percent of high school seniors reported consuming 10 or more drinks in a row, and 5.6 percent reported consuming 15 or more drinks in a row in the past 2 weeks (Patrick et al. 2013). Alcohol use differs not only by age but also by demographic subgroups, including gender and race/ethnicity (see table 1). In 8th grade, girls tend to have somewhat higher rates of alcohol use (i.e., 13 percent in the past 30 days) than do boys (12 percent).

Among older students, however, this ratio is reversed, with 38 percent of female and 42 percent of male 12th graders reporting alcohol use in the past 30 days. This gender difference continues into adulthood, with men consistently using alcohol at higher rates compared with women (Johnston et al. 2012; Wilsnack et al. 2000). A similar interaction seems to exist between grade and race/ethnicity (Wallace et al. 2003). Thus, among 8th graders, Hispanic youth tend to report a greater prevalence of alcohol consumption in the last 12 months (36 percent) or last 30 days (18 percent), as well as of being drunk in the last 30 days (6 percent) and binge drinking in the past 2 weeks (10 percent) than do both White and African American youth.

By 12th grade, however, White adolescents have the highest prevalence levels of the three racial/ethnic groups on all alcohol use measures, African American adolescents have the lowest levels, and Hispanics have intermediate levels. For example, for binge-drinking, prevalence rates among 12th graders are 26 percent for Whites, 11 percent for African Americans, and 21 percent for Hispanics. Some, but not all, of these race/ethnicity differences in alcohol use among 12th graders are attributable to differential high-school dropout rates among the different groups. Thus, dropout rates tend to be higher among racial/ethnic minority youth, and alcohol and other drug (AOD) use tends to be higher among school dropouts than among those staying in school (Bachman et al. 2008). Overall, alcohol use among adolescents and young adults has been declining to the lowest levels in recent decades, as shown by the trends in self-reported alcohol use in the past 12 months and drunkenness in the past 30 days (see figure Batimastat 1) (Johnston et al. 2012; Patrick and Schulenberg 2010). Similar trends have been observed for alcohol use in the past 30 days and binge drinking in the past 2 weeks. These historical shifts in AOD use can be attributed to multiple influences.